No. 1 Moment – Heller captures NCAA Championship in 100 back
September 5, 2013
Chris Brooks
907-474-6805
Continuing our countdown to the top moment from the past year, we now arrive at our top moment of 2012-13. Bente Heller accomplished a feat no other Alaska swimmer ever had before back on March 8 when she captured the program's first ever national championship.
Entering Friday's preliminary session, Heller had never swam the 100-yard backstroke as an individual but secured her spot in the event when she turned in an NCAA A-cut time in the 100-back portion of the 400 medley relay at the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference Championship.
In the qualification race, Heller was the top competitor with a time of 54.53 seconds, which set a new varsity record. Later that night, she was swimming in the middle lane and was able to out touch Ashland's Julie Widmann by just 16-hundredths of a second to win the national title with a new program-record mark of 54.26 seconds.
Listen to Heller's post-race interview here.
In her two years qualifying for the national meet, she has been awarded nine All-America accolades, including five individual All-America nods. Now a rising senior, she will be back in the pool in a matter of weeks and training to get back to the NCAA Championship and defend her title.
So, that's a wrap for our top moments of the 2012-13 athletic year. You can check out links to all of our other top moments in Alaska athletics below. Also, watch our year-end video with highlights of all 10 sports here.
Tomorrow, we put one year to bed and open a new chapter as our 2013-14 year gets underway when volleyball hosts the Alumni at 4 p.m. in a three-set exhibition match.
SCHEDULE OF RELEASES
Aug. 13 – Honorable Mentions
Aug. 14 – Hanneman Earns Spot on U.S. Ski Team and NCAA Berth
Aug. 15 – Men's Basketball Nearly Breaks GNAC Record in Tournament Win
Aug. 16 – Adams Repeats as National Runner-up in the 100 Fly
Aug. 17 – Granberg Scores with Three Seconds Left to Shock Notre Dame
Aug. 18 – McPhetres Tops Podium Twice, Women's Skiing Wins Region Title
Aug. 19 – Taranto's Late Goal Leads Hockey to Win in Final CCHA Game
Aug. 20 – Rifle Takes Fourth at 2013 NCAA Championship
Aug. 21 – Kunyk's OT Winner Lifts Hockey Past UAA in Gov Cup
Aug. 22 – Men's Basketball Stuns No. 2, Undefeated Western Washington
Aug. 23 – Heller Captures NCAA Championship in 100 Back